Transaction Card Assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular transaction card assembly includes a card frame having the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transaction card that is smaller than a traditional card and that fits into a receptacle of the card frame. The card frame may include a window in which contact pads of the transaction card are positioned and flush with the surface of the card frame when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle. The card frame and transaction card assembled together may form a uniform assembly that appears and functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.17,539,633, filed on Dec. 1, 2021 and a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 17,539,636, filed on Dec. 1, 2021, which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF USE

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to transaction cards and morespecifically to a modular transaction card having multiple form factors.Aspects of the disclosure also relate to a card frame in which thetransaction card is inserter to permit the transaction card to be usedwith different card readers.

BACKGROUND

Transaction cards have different form factors with differentcapabilities. Traditional credit cards, for example, may performtransactions contactlessly, using a magnetic strip, or via a smart chip.Transaction cards in smaller form factors, such as ones with a holepunch that can be attached to a keychain, are often more convenient tocarry and may have the same transaction features, but not all cardreaders are able to work with the smaller dimensions.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects describedherein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intendedto identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of theclaims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in asimplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detaileddescription provided below.

The methods, devices, systems, and/or computer-readable media disclosedherein relate to a transaction card assembly that includes a card framehaving the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transactioncard that is smaller than a traditional credit card (e.g., a “mini”transaction card). The transaction card may be capable of performingcontactless data transactions (for example, credit card purchases) onits own via wireless communications, but may not be compatible withcertain card readers, such as a chip reader, which accepts only atraditional credit card format. The card frame includes a receptaclethat accepts and secures the transaction card and couples it to anantenna in the card frame, permitting the combined card frame andtransaction card assembly to perform data transactions as a traditionalform factor transaction card.

The receptacle in the card frame may have electrical contacts that matewith electrical contacts on the transaction card to couple it to thecard frame antenna. In some variations, the card frame may have a secondantenna that wirelessly communicates with an antenna in the transactioncard when it is secured in the receptacle.

The card frame may include other features, such as electronics toprovide power to the transaction card in the receptacle and may includeshielding to prevent the antenna in the transaction card and the antennain the card frame from both communicating with a card readersimultaneously.

In some variations, the card frame comprises a processing circuit forimplementing a smart card frame. The processing circuit may include acomputing device and memory storing computer instructions for enablingthe card frame to work on its own as a transaction card without thesmaller transaction card in the receptacle. The computing device mayfurther implement authentication and cryptographic functions. Forexample, the card frame may authenticate the transaction card in thereceptacle as a condition for completing a data transaction. The cardframe may be used with multiple different transaction cards, with eachcombination of the card frame and different transaction cards having aunique identifier that is distinct from the identifier of eachtransaction card alone and different from the identifier of the cardframe alone.

Methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein also provide features orcharacteristics of a card assembly that includes a card frame with awindow in which contact pads of the transaction card are positioned andflush with the surface of the card frame when the transaction card issecured in the receptacle. The card frame and transaction card assembledtogether may form a uniform assembly that appears and functions as atraditional transaction card (e.g., credit card) with the contact padsof the transaction card appearing as the contact pads of the card frame.

These features, along with many others, are discussed in greater detailbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described by way of example and not limited inthe accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which a transaction card assembly may beused in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assembly inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblydevice in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an electrical circuit according toone or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first example method for using a transaction cardassembly to perform a data transaction according to one or more aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example method for using a transaction cardassembly to perform a data transaction according to one or more aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a processing circuit according toone or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a process for using a transactioncard assembly to perform a data transaction according to one or moreaspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate multiple views of a card frame in accordance withone or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblyincluding the card frame illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9D and the transactioncard illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D in accordance with one or more aspectsof the disclosure;

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate multiple views of a card frame in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblyincluding the card frame illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12D and thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrates an example of securing and removing thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D in the card frameillustrated in FIGS. 12A-12D;

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate multiple views of a card frame in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblyincluding the card frame illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15D and thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 16A-16D in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate multiple views of a card frame in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card inaccordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 20A-20C illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblyincluding the card frame illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18D and thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 19A-19D in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 21A-21E illustrates an example of securing and removing thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 19A-19D in the card frameillustrated in FIGS. 18A-18C;

FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate multiple views of a card frame in accordancewith one or more aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 23A-23D illustrate multiple views of a transaction card assemblyincluding the card frame illustrated in FIGS. 22A-22D and thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 19A-19D in accordance with one ormore aspects of the disclosure; and

FIG. 24 illustrates an example method for securing a transaction card toa card frame according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in whichaspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural and functionalmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Aspects of the disclosure are capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology usedherein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. Rather, the phrases and terms used herein are to be giventheir broadest interpretation and meaning. The use of “including” and“comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional itemsand equivalents thereof.

By way of introduction, aspects discussed herein may relate to systemsand methods and techniques for a card assembly that includes a cardframe and a transaction card (e.g., mini credit cards) that may becombined together to perform contactless data transactions. Thetransaction card may include an integrated circuit, a first plurality ofcontacts, and a first antenna. The card frame may include a secondantenna, a second plurality of contacts, and a receptacle designed tosecure, enable removal of, and resecure the transaction card in the cardframe. While the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, thefirst plurality of contacts are positioned to touch the second pluralityof contacts to connect the integrated circuit in the transaction card tothe second antenna in the card frame. When the transaction card is notsecured in the receptacle, the integrated circuit in the transactioncard may be configured to perform a first contactless data transactionwith a terminal via the first antenna in the transaction card. And whenthe transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the integratedcircuit in the transaction card may be configured to use the secondantenna in the card frame to perform a second contactless datatransaction with the terminal.

Aspects discussed herein may also relate to systems, methods, andtechniques for a card assembly that includes a transaction card with anintegrated circuit and a plurality of contact pads for conducting a datatransaction, and a corresponding card frame having a window in which thecontact pads of the transaction card are positioned flush with thesurface of the card frame when the transaction card is secured in thereceptacle. The card frame and transaction card assembled together mayform a uniform assembly that appears and functions as a traditionaltransaction card (e.g., credit card).

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 that illustrates several components thatmay be found when conducting a transaction with different types oftransaction cards. For example, system 10 shows a card reader 120 (e.g.,a point-of-sale terminal), that may exchange data with transaction cards(e.g., 102) through a plurality of communication techniques. The cardreader 120 may be communicatively coupled to a server 140 via network130.

Card reader 120 may be any suitable card reader capable of exchangingdata and/or information with transaction cards 102. In this regard, cardreader 120 may be a chip-based reader, a magnetic-based reader, an EMVreader, a wireless based reader, or any combination thereof.Accordingly, card reader 120 may include a display, a keypad, a networkinterface and a card interface. The display may present information tothe cardholder, such as the amount owed, the status of the transaction,and whether the transaction has been approved or denied. A keypad ortouch screen may allow a cardholder to input a personal identificationnumber (PIN) code, password, an amount for withdrawal, and the like. Anetwork interface may be a wired connection, wireless connection, ashort-range wireless connection, a near field communication (NFC)connection, or any combination thereof. The network interface may permitcard reader 120 to communicate with server 140, via network 130, forexample, to authorize a transaction. The card interface may permit cardreader 120 to communicate with transaction cards 102. In theseinstances, card reader 120 may convey information related to thecardholder's account to transaction cards 102. Card reader 120 may belimited in the ways it can communicate with different types oftransaction cards. For example, card reader 120 may have a transactioncard chip reader that only works with the dimensions of a standard sizecredit card, but not with the dimensions of transaction card 102, whichin some instances, may have smaller or non-standard dimensions (e.g., amini-card connectable to a key ring).

Various aspects described herein, which address this compatibilityissue, are directed to a card assembly 100 comprising a card frame 101that secures a smaller transaction card 102 in a receptacle 103. In someembodiments, the card assembly 100 performs data transactions with cardreaders not compatible with transaction card 102, and optionally, with aunique identifier that is distinct from an identifier of transactioncard 102 when the transaction card is not secured in the card frame 101.

Server 140 may be a stand-alone server, a corporate server, or a serverlocated in a server farm or cloud-computer environment. According tosome examples, server 140 may be a virtual server hosted on hardwarecapable of supporting a plurality of virtual servers. Server 140 may beconfigured to execute server-based software configured to providecardholders with access to account information and perform routingbanking functions. In some embodiments, the server-based softwarecorresponds to client-based software executing on card reader 120.

Network 130 may be any type of communications and/or computer network.The network 130 may include any type of communication mediums and/or maybe based on any type of communication standards or protocols. In thisregard, network 130 may include the Internet, a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless telecommunications network,and/or any other communication network or combination thereof.

Devices and systems 120, 130, and 140 in FIG. 1 may be implemented, inwhole or in part, using one or more computing systems, for example, asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 7 .

Transaction card 102 and card frame 101, individually or combined ascard assembly 100, may be configured to permit a cardholder to accessone or more types of accounts. In this regard, transaction card 102,card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may behave as a credit card, acharge card, a debit card, a prepaid card, a smartcard, a payment cardor an EMV card. In some embodiments, transaction card 102, card frame101, and/or card assembly 100 may be an identification card, a clubmembership card, a rail pass card, or a building access card. As will bediscussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 , transactioncard 102, card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may be chip-enabledand/or may include a magnetic strip. In further embodiments, transactioncard 102, card frame 101, and/or card assembly 100 may include NFCcapabilities, short-range wireless communication capabilities (e.g.,Bluetooth®), wireless communication capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi), or anycombination thereof. The NFC capabilities, short-range wirelesscommunication capabilities, and wireless communication capabilities maybe referred to collectively as communication capabilities. Thesecommunication capabilities may permit transaction card 102, card frame101, and/or card assembly 100 to communicate with card reader 120.

Turning to FIG. 2A-2H, various views of card assembly 100 areillustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrating front andback views, card frame 101 of card assembly 100 may be of a standardsize and made of a suitable substrate, such as plastic, metal, etc. Forexample, card frame 101 may be formed as a flat sheet having a roundedrectangle perimeter. In some variations, the flat sheet is 3.361 to3.382 inches wide, 2.119 to 2.133 inches high, and 0.027 to 0.033 inchesthick.

Card frame 101 may include a magnetic strip 204 for storing data (e.g.,credit card information) that may be read and written to by card reader120, and may include an antenna 201 capable of wireless communications(e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) with another device, such as card reader120 in FIG. 1 .

Receptacle 103 in card frame 101 may be configured to secure, permitremoval of, and resecure transaction card 102. Card frame 101 mayfurther include an electric circuit 205 for interfacing transaction card102 to card frame antenna 201, when transaction card 102 is secured inthe receptacle 103. Details of electric circuit 205 are furtherdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 4 and 7 .

Transaction card 102 may include a computer chip 203 and its own antenna202 capable of wireless communications (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)with another device, such as carder reader 120 in FIG. 1 . Asillustrated in the figures, antenna 202 and computer chip 203 may beembedded within transaction card 102, and may be located anywhere in theperimeter of the transaction card 102 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B,and at any depth or on either surface of the transaction card 102.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view A-A of FIG. 2B. Asillustrated in FIG. 2C, the magnetic strip 204 may be embedded in, or onthe surface of one side of, card frame 101, enabling it to be read by amagnetic strip card reader. Antenna 201 and electric circuit 205 mayalso be embedded in, or on the surface of one side of card frame 101. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, antenna 201 may be integrated along theperimeter of card frame 101. In some variations, card frame 101comprises a flat metal sheet and the antenna 201 is insulated from themetal sheet. In further variations, the antenna 201 is exposed along theedge of the card frame or is not completely surrounded by the metalsheet, so that the metal sheet does not interfere with reception andtransmission of radio frequency communications by the antenna 201.

The locations of magnetic strip 204, antenna 201, and electric circuit205 are not limited to those locations illustrated in the figures andmay be located anywhere in the perimeter of the card frame 101illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and at any depth or on either surface ofthe card frame 101 illustrated in FIG. 2C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some variations transaction card 102,when secured in receptacle 103, may be substantially within the outerdimensions of card frame 101, such that card frame 101 and transactioncard 102 together form card assembly 100 as a uniform piece that appearsand functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

Computer chip 203 in transaction card 102 may be a smart chip orintegrated circuit. In this regard, chip 203 may include amicroprocessor and memory, such as read only memory (ROM) and/or randomaccess memory (RAM). Additionally, chip 203 may include one or morecontact pads (illustrated in FIG. 2A) to receive electric power tooperate the transaction card 102 and exchange signals with a terminal,such as card reader 120. In some instances, the chip 203 may beconfigured to execute one or more applications. The applications mayallow chip 203 to process payments. In other examples, the applicationsmay allow the chip 203 to perform cryptographic processing,authentication, define risk management parameters (e.g., when thetransaction may be conducted offline), digitally sign payment data,and/or verify the cardholder. When secured in the receptacle 103 of thecard frame 101, the contact pads of chip 203 may be positioned to appearas contact pads for the card frame 101. In some variations, transactioncard 102 may be configured to perform a first transaction (e.g., a datatransaction via chip 203 and/or antenna 202 authenticated with a firstset of credentials) when the transaction card 102 is not inserted intocard frame 101, and perform a second transaction (e.g., a datatransaction via chip 203 and/or antenna 201 authenticated with a secondset of credentials) when the transaction card 102 is inserted into cardframe 101.

FIGS. 2D-2F illustrate various examples of view B of FIG. 2C to show inmore detail the transaction card 102 inserted in receptacle 103. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2D and 2E, card frame 101 may be a flat sheetcomprising two opposing surfaces separated by a thickness and bounded bya perimeter (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B), wherein the receptacle 103comprises a hole passing completely through the thickness of the flatsheet. The receptacle 103 may have a perimeter (as illustrated in FIGS.2A and 2B) that matches entirely, or only at some edges of, theperimeter of the transaction card 102. As illustrated in FIG. 2D, thetransaction card 102 and receptacle 103 may have an interference fit inwhich the profile of the transaction card 102 has a protrusion 208,which fits within a groove 207 of the receptacle 103 to secure thetransaction card 102 in the card frame 101. The material of theprotrusion 208 and/or the walls of the groove 207 may be flexible toallow the transaction card 102 to be secured, removed, and resecured inthe receptacle 103 with the application of opposing forces perpendicularto the faces of the card frame 101 and transaction card 102respectively, for example, to snap the transaction card 102 into thereceptacle 103. While protrusion 208 is illustrated as curved and groove2007 is illustrated in the shape of a “v,” these may be of any profilethat provides an interference fit. Additionally, the profiles may bereversed so that the perimeter of the transaction card 102 has a groove,and the receptacle 103 has a protrusion.

FIG. 2E illustrates another example, in which the perimeters of thereceptacle 103 and transaction card 102 have mating rims 210 and 209respectively with mirrored profiles. In some variations, the transactioncard 102 may be inserted from only one side of the card frame 101. Thetransaction card 102 may be secured in the receptacle 103 by frictionbetween the perimeters of the transaction card 102 and receptacle 103.In other variations, the transaction card 102 may be magneticallycoupled to the receptacle 103 and/or card frame 101 to secure, enableremoval of, and resecure the transaction card 102 in the card frame 101.Each of these configurations can be used together, for example by someedges of the transaction card 102 being secured with agroove/protrusion, and some with mirrored rims that are coupledmagnetically. Transaction card 102 may be configured to detect whetherit is inserted in the card frame 101, and based on this detection,perform different operations (e.g., perform different types of datatransactions or take on different identities).

While FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate the receptacle 103 as a hole passingcompletely through the flat sheet of the card frame, in othervariations, the receptacle 103 may be a recess in one of the twoopposing surfaces with the other surface being completely or partiallyclosed.

FIG. 2F illustrates another variation of receptacle 103 comprising aslot 211 having an open end, along the perimeter between the twoopposing surfaces of the card frame 101, through which the receptacle103 is configured to secure, enable the removal of, and resecure thetransaction card 102.

In some variations, the card frame 101 and/or receptacle 103 may providean electromagnetic shield preventing the antenna 202 in the transactioncard 102 from receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals whilethe transaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle 103. For example,in the receptacle 103 in FIG. 2F, one or both surfaces of the card frame101 may be coated or made of a conductive material (e.g., aluminum,stainless steel, titanium), which covers the transaction card 102partially or completely. In this way, the card frame 101 may disable thetransaction card antenna 202 while the transaction card 102 is securedin the receptacle 103, thus preventing both antennas 201 and 202 fromrelaying data transactions simultaneously. Alternatively oradditionally, transaction card 102 may disable its antenna 202 based ondetecting that the transaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle103.

As previously discussed, when transaction card 102 is secured inreceptacle 103, it may be interfaced to antenna 201 in the card frame101 via electric circuit 205. FIGS. 2G-2H illustrate views C and D ofFIGS. 2D-2E, respectively, which illustrate details of electricalcontacts for electrically coupling transaction card 102 to electriccircuit 205. As illustrated in these figures, card frame 101 may includeone or more electrical contacts 211 along the perimeter of thereceptacle 103 that contact a corresponding one or more electricalcontacts 212 on the perimeter of the transaction card 102 when thetransaction card 102 is secured in the receptacle 103. In FIG. 2G,contacts 211 and 212 are illustrated on the mating protrusion 208 andgroove 207, respectively, but the contact coupling can be positioned atany location at which the transaction card 102 comes into contact withthe card frame 101 so that contacts 211 and 212 touch. Similarly, inFIG. 2H, contacts 211 and 212 are illustrated on the first rim of cardframe 101 and mating second rim of transaction card 102, respectively,but the contact coupling can be positioned at any location at which thetransaction card 102 comes into contact with the card frame 101 so thatcontacts 211 and 212 touch. For example, if the receptacle 103 is arecess or a slot, the card frame 101 may have contacts on the bottomsurface of the recess or inside surface of the slot, which contactcorresponding contacts on a surface of the transaction card 102.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate different views of another variation of cardassembly 100, in which card frame 101 communicates with transaction card102 wirelessly (e.g., without using contacts 211 and 212). FIG. 3Aillustrates a front view, FIG. 3B illustrates a back view, and FIGS. 3Cand 3D illustrate cross-section views C-C of receptacle 300. Asillustrated in these figures, card frame 101 includes an additionalantenna 301 proximate to the receptacle 103. For example, as illustratedin FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, antenna 301 may be embedded in the card frame101 and may encircle the perimeter of the receptacle 103, and thusencircle antenna 202 when the transaction card 102 is secured in thereceptacle 103. In other variations, for example when the receptacle 103comprises a recess or a slot as illustrated in FIG. 3D, antenna 301 maybe embedded in or on the surface of the wall of the slot or on thebottom of a recess. In this assembly, transaction card 102 and cardframe 101 exchange data via radio frequency communication betweenantennas 202 and 301, which may include implementing a wireless protocol(e.g., NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)). Insome variations, antennas 301 and 202 provide inductive power transferbetween card frame 101 and transaction card 102. In some variations thecard frame 101 includes both electrical contacts 211 and antenna 301,which may alternatively be used, or used in combination, depending uponwhether the transaction card 102 has corresponding features andcapabilities (e.g., contacts 212 and antenna 202).

Transaction card 102 may be coupled to antenna 201 in the card frame byelectric circuit 205 via the electrical contacts 211 and 212 or by theelectromagnetically coupled antennas 202 and 301. In one variation,electric circuit 205 may comprise wire conductors and (optionally)passive components (e.g., capacitors, resistors, inductors) thatelectrically (e.g., directly or capacitively) connect antenna 201 tocontacts 211 and/or antenna 301.

FIG. 4 illustrates circuit 400, which is another variation of electriccircuit 205. Circuit 400 may include one or more conductors 405 that areconnected between antenna 201 and transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 incard frame 101. Antenna 201 may receive and radiate radio frequencysignals, which correspond to signals carried on the one or moreconductors 405 to and from transceivers and/or amplifiers 401.Similarly, one or more conductors 409 are connected and carry electricalsignals between contacts 211 or antenna 301 and transceivers and/oramplifiers 401. The transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 condition thesignals, for example by amplifying and filtering them, and exchange theconditioned signals between conductors 405 and 409 to provide a completecommunication path for data carried in the signals between the antenna201 in the card frame and the transaction card 102 in the receptacle103.

For example, the electric circuit 400 may be configured to receive, viacontacts 211 and conductors 409, a first signal comprising transmissiondata from the transaction card 102 (through contacts 212), amplify thefirst signal with transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 to generate anamplified first signal, and transmit wirelessly the amplified firstsignal including the transmission data via conductors 405 and antenna201. Similarly, the electric circuit 400 may be configured to receivewirelessly, via antenna 201 and conductors 405, a second signalcomprising reception data, amplify the second signal to generate anamplified second signal with transceivers and/or amplifiers 401; andtransmit the amplified second signal including the reception data, tothe transaction card 102 via conductors 409 and contacts 211. Thisrelaying of data between the antenna 201 in the card frame 101 and thetransaction card 102 in the receptacle 103, and wirelessly transceivingthe data between the antenna 201 and a terminal may be used to perform acontactless data transaction between the transaction card 102 and aterminal. In some variations, transceivers and/or amplifiers 401 mayinclude communication protocol capabilities, such as NFC, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth®, and/or BLE.

Electric circuit 400 may further include a power circuit 403, which isconfigured to generate electric power from signals from antenna 201 inthe card frame 101. For example, radio frequency electromagnetic energy(e.g., radio frequency wireless signals) may be received by antenna 201and conducted along conductors 405 to power circuit 403. These may bethe same or different signals that carry data and are conditioned andamplified by transceivers/amplifiers 401. Power circuit 403 may includea power converter (for example, comprising a capacitor and a diode) thatconverts the radio frequency signals to electrical power (e.g.,alternating current or direct current power). The generated electricalpower may be provided via conductors 407 to energize the electricalcircuits within the transceivers and/or amplifiers 401. The electricalpower may additionally or alternatively be provided via conductors 409to contacts 211 and 212 to the transaction card 102. In some variations,the electrical power is converted back to radio-frequency signals andtransmitted via antenna 301 to the transaction card 102, which may beconfigured to receive these signals via antenna 202 and convert them toelectrical power internally in the transaction card 102 (e.g., inductivecharging).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 for using the transaction card102 with and optionally without card frame 101. In step 510, transactioncard 102 may be secured in receptacle 103 of card frame 101 as describedabove (e.g., with an interference fit or magnetic coupling). In step515, radio frequency electromagnetic energy (e.g., a wireless radiofrequency signal) may be received via antenna 201.

In step 520, second antenna 202 in the transaction card 102 is disabledfrom receiving radio frequency signals from outside of the card frame101. In some examples, this prevents the card assembly 100 (101 and 102together) from performing or attempting to perform multiple transactionswith a card reader (e.g., a point-of-sale terminal), by for example,receiving radio frequency transmission on both antenna 201 and 202. Insome variations (for example, as shown in FIG. 2F and described above),antenna 202 is disabled by the card frame 101 by providing anelectromagnetic shield around the antenna 202. In other variations, thetransaction card 102 detects that it is secured in the receptacle 102,and based on this detection, disables the antenna 202 internally in thetransaction card 102.

In step 525, the card frame 101 converts the received radio frequencysignals into electrical power (e.g., direct-current oralternating-current power), and in step 530, the electrical power isprovided via electrical contacts 211/212 or antennas 301 and 202 (viainductive coupling) to the transaction card 102 in the receptacle 103 asdiscussed above.

In step 535, the card frame 101 may relay, via the electrical contacts211 and 212 or antennas 301 and 202, electrical signals comprising databetween antenna 201 in the card frame 101 and the transaction card 102in the receptacle 103. This may be performed by electric circuit 400 aspreviously discussed, or by computing device 700, which is furtherdescribed below with respect to FIG. 7 . In step 540, card frame 101 maywirelessly transceive this data to and from a card reader 120 (e.g., aterminal). The transceiving may include radiating and/or receiving thedata in radio frequency signals from antenna 201. In step 545, the cardassembly 100 completes a contactless data transaction between thetransaction card 102 and the terminal based on the relaying and thetransceiving of the data.

In step 550, the transaction card 102 is removed from the card framereceptacle 103, as previously described above. Once removed, in step550, the transaction card 102 may perform a second contactless datatransaction with the card reader (or a different card reader) (e.g.,terminal) using its antenna 202. The steps of process 500 may beperformed in other orders and all steps need not be performed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for card frame 101, for example usingelectric circuit 400, to relay and transceive data. In step 610, thecard frame 101 may receive (for example via the electrical contacts 211or antenna 301) a first signal comprising transmission data from thetransaction card 102. In step 615, the card frame 101 may amplify (forexample using transceivers and/or amplifiers 401) the first signal togenerate an amplified first signal. In step 620, the card frame 101 maytransmit, wirelessly via antenna 201, the amplified first signal, forexample to a card reader 120. In step 625, the card frame 101 mayreceive, via antenna 201, a second signal comprising reception data, andin step 630, the card frame 101 may amplify (for example usingtransceivers and/or amplifiers 401) the second signal to generate anamplified second signal. In step 635 the card frame 101 may transmit(for example via the electrical contacts 211 or antenna 301) theamplified second signal to the transaction card 102. The transmission ofthe first signal comprising transmission data and the reception of thesecond signal comprising reception data may be performed in any orderand may be related, with one being based on, or in response to, theother, and with both part of a contactless data transaction (e.g., acredit card transaction). Processes 500 and 600 may be performedseparately or together.

In some variations of card frame 101, electric circuit 205 includes aprocessing circuit for implementing a smart card frame. For example,electric circuit 205 may comprise computing device 700 as illustrated inFIG. 7 . Computing device 700 may include a processor 703 forcontrolling overall operation of the computing device 700 and itsassociated components, input/output device 709, memory 715, and/orcommunication interface 723. A data bus may interconnect processor(s)703, memory 715, I/O device 709, and/or communication interface 723.

Input/output (I/O) device 709 may include a port (e.g., contacts,conductors, modem) through which the computing device 700 may receiveinput, such as for initial programming, receiving authentication keys,etc., prior to being issued to a cardholder.

Software may be stored within memory 715 to provide instructions toprocessor 703 allowing computing device 700 to perform various actions.For example, memory 715 may store software used by the computing device700, such as an operating system 717, application programs 719, and/oran associated internal database 721. The various hardware memory unitsin memory 715 may include volatile and nonvolatile media implemented inany method or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Memory 715 may include one or more physical persistentmemory devices and/or one or more non-persistent memory devices. Memory715 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electronicallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology that may store information and that may be accessed byprocessor 703.

Communication interface 723 may include one or more transceivers,amplifiers, digital signal processors, and/or additional circuitry andsoftware for communicating via antennas 201 and/or 301 and/or contacts211. Communication interface 723 may also include near fieldcommunication (NFC) capabilities, short-range wireless communicationcapabilities (e.g., Bluetooth®), wireless communication capabilities(e.g., Wi-Fi), or any combination thereof. Communication interface 723may include some or all of the features of electric circuit 400illustrated in FIG. 4 .

Computing device 700 may further include a power circuit 730, which maybe the same as power circuit 403 described with respect to FIG. 4 forconverting radio frequency electromagnetic signals to electrical powerfor powering computing device 700 and transaction card 102 as previouslydescribed.

Processor 703 may include a single central processing unit (CPU), whichmay be a single-core or multi-core processor, or may include multipleCPUs. Processor(s) 703 and associated components may allow the computingdevice 700 to execute a series of computer-readable instructions toperform some or all of the processes described herein. Although notillustrated in FIG. 7 , various elements within memory 715 or othercomponents in computing device 700, may include one or more caches, forexample, CPU caches used by the processor 703, page caches used by theoperating system 717, and/or database caches used to cache content fromdatabase 721. For embodiments including a CPU cache, the CPU cache maybe used by one or more processors 703 to reduce memory latency andaccess time. A processor 703 may retrieve data from or write data to theCPU cache rather than reading/writing to memory 715, which may improvethe speed of these operations.

Although various components of computing device 700 are describedseparately, functionality of the various components may be combinedand/or performed by a single component and/or multiple computing devicesin communication. And although various components of computing device700 are described separately from the various components of electriccircuit 400, these various components and their functionality may becombined and/or performed by a single component and/or multiplecomputing devices in communication.

The inclusion of a processing circuit, such as computing device 700,greatly expands the capabilities of card frame 101, such as: enabling itto work as a transaction card on its own (without transaction card 102secured in the receptacle), providing security measures limiting the useof the card frame to only certain paired transaction cards 102, andenabling the card frame to take on multiple different identities,depending upon whether a transaction card is inserted in the receptacleand depending upon which of multiple different transaction cards isinserted into the receptacle.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for using the card frame 101 thatincludes a processing circuit, such as computing device 700. Process 800begins with step 810, in which the card frame 101 receives, via antenna201, a first communication from a terminal, such as card reader 120. Thefirst communication may communicate data (in either or both directions)and be the beginning or part of a data transaction (e.g., a contactlesstransaction, NFC transaction) with the terminal. In step 815 the cardframe 101 detects, based on the first communication, whether atransaction card 102 is secured in receptacle 103. The detection may,for example, be based on a communication between the transaction card102 and computer device 700, or may be based on a measurement of anelectrical parameter (e.g., detection of a resistance at contacts 211).In response to detecting that the transaction card 102 is present in thereceptacle 103, steps 820-855 may be performed to complete a contactlessdata transaction based on the combination of card frame 101 andtransaction card 102 together as card assembly 100. In response todetecting that the transaction card 102 is absent from the receptacle103, steps 860-875 may be performed to complete a contactless datatransaction based on the card frame 101 alone.

If transaction card 102 is present in the receptacle 103, card frame 101in step 820, performs a second communication with transaction card 102.The second communication may convey data (in either or both directions)for performing the data transaction with the terminal. The card frame101 may in step 825 receive in the second communication, a first securecredential from transaction card 102, which may be unique to transactioncard 102, and may in step 830 authenticate the first secure credential,for example, using a decryption and/or authentication applicationexecuted in computing device 700. In step 835, the card frame 101 (forexample, using computing device 700) may determine, based on the secondcommunication and/or the authenticated secure credential, an identity oftransaction card 102.

In step 840 the computing device 700 may (optionally) retrieve from amemory (e.g., 715) in the card frame 101, a second secure credentialuniquely associated with the card frame 101. Performance of step 840 maybe based on confirming that the identity or authenticated securecredential of the transaction card 102 is authorized to be used with thecard frame 101. For example, computing device 700 may have stored inmemory, a list of one or more identities of different transaction cardsauthorized to be used with the card frame 101. If the transaction card102 is not authorized to be used with the card frame 101 (e.g., becausetransaction card 102 is not in the list), the process may end withoutcompleting the data transaction.

In step 845 computing device 700 in the card frame 101 may generate athird secure credential based on the first secure credential and(optionally) based on the second secure credential. The third securecredential may be unique to the combination of the card frame 101 andtransaction card 102 (for example, by being derived from the first andsecond secure credentials). Computing device 700 may be configured togenerate multiple different third secure credentials based on the secondsecure credential and, respectively, multiple different first securecredentials of multiple different transaction cards 102.

In step 850 card frame 101 may perform, via antenna 201 and based on theidentity of the transaction card 102 in the receptacle or based thethird secure credential, a third communication with the terminal. Theperformance of steps 845 and/or 850 may be based on or in response tothe successful authentication of the first secure credential. The thirdcommunication may contain data conveyed in the second communication andadditional data (e.g., the third secure credential). In step 855 thecard frame 101 may complete a contactless data transaction between thetransaction card 102 in the receptacle and the terminal based on dataconveyed in the second communication and the third communication. Ineach of the communications, the data may be conveyed (in either or bothdirections) and (optionally) encrypted, with computing device 700performing encryption and decryption of the data.

Returning to step 815, if the transaction card 102 was determined to beabsent from the receptacle 103 integrated in the card frame 101, step860 may be performed in which the card frame 101 retrieves from thememory in the card frame 101, the second secure credential as describedabove with respect to step 840. In step 865 card frame 101 may perform,via antenna 201 and based on the second secure credential, a fourthcommunication with the terminal. In this step, the second securecredential is uniquely associated with just the card frame 101 and isdistinct from the secure credentials of the transaction cards 102. Instep 875 card frame 101 completes a data transaction (e.g., contactlessdata transaction, NFC transaction) between the card frame 101 and theterminal based on data conveyed (in either or both directions) in thefourth communication. In the fourth communication, the data may beencrypted, with computing device 700 performing encryption anddecryption of the data.

With the steps of process 800, the card frame 101 may appear as multipledifferent transaction cards when performing contactless datatransactions, each with a unique identity, that is specific to the cardframe 101 alone (with the receptacle 103 empty), or specific to theunique combinations of the card frame 101 and each different transactioncard 102 inserted in the receptacle. Moreover, the transaction cards 102also appear unique with their own respective identities when performinga data transaction without the card frame.

Discussion will now turn to features or characteristics of cardassemblies which include a window on one surface of the card frame inwhich the contact pads of the transaction card are positioned when thetransaction card is secured in the card frame.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate various views of a card frame 901. FIGS. 9A and9B illustrate front and back views of card frame 901, which may be astandard size and made of a suitable substrate, such as plastic, metal,etc. For example, card frame 901 may be formed as a flat sheet having arounded rectangle perimeter. In some variations, the flat sheet is 3.361to 3.382 inches wide, 2.119 to 2.133 inches high, and 0.027 to 0.033inches thick.

Card frame 901 may include a receptacle 903 configured to secure, permitremoval of, and resecure a transaction card. Card frame 901 may alsoinclude a window 902 that exposes a portion of a transaction cardsecured in receptacle 903.

FIGS. 9C and 9D illustrate, respectively, cross-sectional views A-A andB-B of FIG. 9B. As illustrated in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D, receptacle 903may have an opening, on one of the two opposing surface of the flatsheet, that extends partially into the thickness of the flat sheet toform a recess in card frame 901 (as opposed to through the entirethickness as in card frame 101 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, 2G-2H).

Window 902 may include an opening within the perimeter of the receptacle903 that extends from an interior surface of the receptacle through tothe surface of the flat sheet opposite the receptacle opening.

Card frame 901 may include a magnetic strip 904 for storing data (e.g.,credit card information) that may be read and written to by card reader120. As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the magnetic strip 204 may be embeddedin, or on the surface of one side of, card frame 901, enabling it to beread by a magnetic strip card reader.

FIGS. 10 a-10 d illustrate various views of a transaction card 1001,which has the same components and capabilities as transaction card 102described above, but with different dimensions sized to fit withinreceptacle 903 of card frame 901. Transaction card 1001 may include aflat sheet with opposing surfaces separated by a thickness that is lessthan the thickness of card frame 901 and bounded by a perimeter thatfits within (e.g., mirrors) the perimeter of receptacle 903. Asillustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 10D, transaction card 1001 mayinclude a computer chip (e.g., integrated circuit, not illustrated) and,optionally an antenna (not illustrated) embedded within transaction card1001, which may be located anywhere in the perimeter of the transactioncard 1001, and at any depth or on either surface of the transaction card1001. Additionally, the computer chip may include one or more contactpads 1002 (illustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 10D) to receive electricpower to operate the transaction card 1001 and exchange signals with aterminal, such as card reader 120 of FIG. 1 . The computer chip (andoptional antenna) may be made of the same components and have all of thesame functions (e.g. related to electronic transactions via a cardreader) as computer chip 203 and antenna 202 described above withrespect to transaction card 102. As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, thecontact pads 1002 may be raised on one surface of transaction card 1001.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate various views of a card assembly 1100, whichincludes card 901 with transaction card 1001 secured in receptacle 903.When secured in the receptacle 903 of the card frame 901, the contactpads 1002 may be positioned in window 902 and flush with the surface ofthe card frame opposite the opening of receptacle 903. The transactioncard may further fit within the recess of the receptacle such that thesurface opposite the contact pad of transaction card 1001, and thesurface opposite window 902 of card frame 901 are flush as illustratedin FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D. In this configuration, transaction card 1001may be substantially within the outer dimensions of card frame 901, withthe contact pads 1002 appearing as contact pads for the card frame 901.Card frame 901 and transaction card 1001 together assembled as cardassembly 1100 may form a uniform piece that appears and functions as atraditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

Transaction card assembly 1100 may be configured to perform atransaction (e.g., a data transaction via the computer chip in thetransaction card with a card or chip reader designed to work withtransaction cards that are of the size of card frame 901 and havecontact pads 1002 in the location of window 902. The transaction card1001 alone may be incompatible with the card or chip car reader (e.g.,due to a form factor of the transaction card 1001), and thus require tobe secured in the receptacle 903.

The receptacle 903 may have a perimeter (as illustrated in FIGS.11B-11D) that matches entirely, or only at some edges of, the perimeterof the transaction card 1001. Transaction card 1001 and receptacle 903may have an interference fit (similar to the interference fitillustrated in FIG. 2D) in which the profile of the transaction card1001 has a protrusion (e.g., similar to protrusion 208), which fitswithin a groove (e.g., similar to groove 207) of the receptacle 903 tosecure the transaction card 1001 in the card frame 901. The material ofthe protrusion and/or the walls of the groove may be flexible to allowthe transaction card 1001 to be secured, removed, and resecured in thereceptacle 903 with the application of an opposing force perpendicularto the transaction card 1001 (e.g., on the contact pads of computer chip1002 through window 902), or by flexing the card frame 901 such that theinner surface of receptacle 903 curves away from a plane of transactioncard 902. The protrusion and groove may rounded and in the shape of a“v,” respectively (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2D), or may be may be of anyprofile that provides an interference fit. Additionally, the profilesmay be reversed so that the perimeter of the transaction card 1001 has agroove, and the receptacle 903 has a protrusion.

In other examples, the transaction card 1001 may be secured in thereceptacle 903 by magnetic coupling to the receptacle 903 and/or cardframe 901 to secure, enable removal of, and resecure the transactioncard 1001 in the card frame 901. Each of these configurations can beused together. For example, some edges of the transaction card 1001 maybe secured with a groove/protrusion and other portions of transactioncard 1001 may be secured with magnetic coupling.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate various views of a card frame 1201. FIGS. 12Aand 12B illustrate front and back views of card frame 1201, which mayhave the same dimensions, be made of the same materials, and have asimilar magnetic strip 1204 as card frame 901 illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9Das described above. Like card frame 901, card frame 1201 may include areceptacle 1203 configured to secure, permit removal of, and resecure atransaction card. Card frame 1201 may also include a window 1202 thatexposes a portion of a transaction card secured in receptacle 1203.

FIGS. 12C and 12D illustrate, respectively, cross-sectional views A-Aand B-B of FIG. 12B. As illustrated in FIGS. 12B, 12C, and 12D,receptacle 1203 comprises a slot having an open end, along the perimeterbetween (e.g., and perpendicular to) the two opposing surfaces of thecard frame 1201, through which the receptacle 1203 is configured tosecure, enable the removal of, and resecure the transaction card 1001.Window 1202 may include an opening within the perimeter of thereceptacle 1203 that extends from an interior surface of the receptaclethrough one surface of the flat sheet.

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate various views of a card assembly 1300, whichincludes card frame 1201 (illustrate in FIGS. 12A-12D) with transactioncard 1001(illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D) secured in receptacle 1203. Whensecured in the receptacle 1203 of card frame 1201, the contact pads 1002may be positioned in window 1202 (e.g., flush with the surface of thecard frame) such that the contact pads 1002 appear as contact pads forthe card frame 1201. Card frame 1201 and transaction card 1001 togetherassembled as card assembly 1300 may form a uniform piece that appearsand functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card) asdescribed above with respect to card assembly 1100.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrates the cross-sectional view B-B (FIG. 12D) ofcard frame 1201 and the side view (FIG. 10D) of transaction card 1001 atvarious stages of integration into card assembly 1300. As shown in thefigures the raised contact pads 1002 on the transaction card 1001 andthe window 1202 in the card frame 1201 form a detent mechanism forsecuring the transaction card in the card frame.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the end of transaction card 1001 furthest from theraised contact pads 1002 is fit into the slot opening of receptacle 1203and a force (indicated by the black arrow) is applied to the oppositeend of the transaction card 1001 to move the transaction card into theslot.

In FIG. 14B, transaction card 1002 is inserted into the slot to theextent that raised contact pads 1002 reach the slot opening. At thisposition, the force applied to the end of the transaction card 1001(black arrow) causes the raised contact pads 1002 to deflect the slotopening and expand the slot to allow for passage of the raised contactpads 1002 through the slot. Receptacle 1203 may be made of a flexiblematerial and may include a beveled edge on the inside surface of theslot opening against which the raised contact pads force the opening todeflect and expand.

In FIG. 14C, transaction card 1001 is inserted into receptacle 1203 tothe extent the exposed end of the transaction card 1001 is flush withthe slot opening or entirely within receptacle 1203, and a portion ofthe raised contact pads 1002 are visible through window 1202. A force(black arrow) may be applied to the surface of the raised contact padsthrough the window and in the direction parallel to (or at an anglehaving a vector component parallel to) the card frame surfaces tocontinue moving transaction card 1001 further into receptacle 1203.

In FIG. 14D, transaction card 1001 is completely inserted intoreceptacle 1203, with the raised contact pads 1002 fitting completelywithin window 1202. As the raised contact pads move into the window, thereceptacle returns to its nominal (un-deflected) shape, thus engagingthe detent mechanism to secure the transaction card 1001 in receptacle1203. At the point of engagement (e.g., when the receptacle becomesun-deflected), the transaction card may provide an audible or tactileresponse (e.g., a click or snap), indicating that the detent mechanismis engaged and the transaction card is secured. The detent mechanism(the raised contact pads within the window) provides a holdingresistance preventing the detent mechanism from being disengaged (e.g.,the deflection of the receptacle), and a sliding resistance opposingtranslation and exit of the transaction card 1001 from the slot.

In FIG. 14E, a force (black arrow) may be applied to the surface of theraised contact pads through the window and in the direction parallel to(or at an angle having a vector component parallel to) the card framesurfaces towards the slot opening. This applied force may overcome theholding resistance and the sliding resistance cause receptacle 1203 todeflect again (thus disengaging the detent mechanism) so that the raisedcontact pads may pass through the slot. As shown in FIG. 4E, receptacle1203 may include a second beveled edge on the inside surface of the slotat the window 1202 against which the raised contact pads 1002 force thereceptacle 1203 to deflect.

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate various views of a card frame 1501, which maybe similar to card frame 1201, except that window 1502 extends to theslot opening of receptacle 1503 so that window 1502 has an openperimeter. Card frame 1501 may have the same dimensions, be made of thesame materials, and have a similar magnetic strip 1504 as card frame1201 illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12D as described above. Like card frame1201, card frame 1501, receptacle 1503 may be configured to secure,permit removal of, and resecure a transaction card.

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate a transaction card 1601 compatible with cardframe 1501. Transaction card 1601 includes the same components andperforms the same functions as transaction card 1001, except that aportion of transaction card 1601 adjacent to the raised contact pads1602 is also raised to fit within the extended area of window 1502. FIG.17A-17D illustrate card assembly 1700 including transaction card 1601secured in card frame 1501. As shown in FIGS. 15D, 16D, and 17D,transaction card 1601 may include a protrusion 1604 that fits within arecess 1505 on the inner surface of the slot of receptacle 1503 to forma detent mechanism in card assembly 1700. The detent mechanism may besimilar to the detent mechanism formed by the raised contact pads andwindow in card assembly 1300 as described above. The slot of receptacle1503 may be configured to deflect or expand to allow the protrusion 1604to pass through the slot, and return to a neutral state (e.g.,un-deflected) with the protrusion 1604 in the recess 1505 to engage thedetent mechanism. The protrusion positioned in the recess provides aholding resistance and sliding resistance to secure the transaction cardin the receptacle in the same manner as the detent mechanism formed bythe raised contact pads and window in card assembly 1300 as describedabove. In certain variations, the protrusion may be included on theinner surface of the slot and the recess may be included on thetransaction card 1601.

FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate various views of a card frame 1801, which hassimilar features as card frame 1201, except that the slot opening ofreceptacle 1803 is at the opposite edge of card frame 1801 as comparedto the slot opening of receptacle 1203 in card frame 1201. Card frame1801 may have the same dimensions, be made of the same materials, andhave a similar magnetic strip 1804 as card frame 1201 illustrated inFIGS. 12A-12D as described above. Card frame 1801 may include a notch1805 (e.g., a semi-circle) in the perimeter of card frame 1801 at theslot opening of receptacle 1203.

Like card frame 1201, card frame 1801 may include a receptacle 1803configured to secure, permit removal of, and resecure a transactioncard. Card frame 1801 may also include a window 1802 that exposes aportion of a transaction card secured in receptacle 1803.

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate a transaction card 1901 compatible with cardframe 1801. Transaction card 1901 includes the same components andperforms the same functions as transaction card 1001, except that thelength of the transaction card is extended to match the length ofreceptacle 1803. Transaction card 1901 may include a hole 1904 thatpasses through the transaction card. Hole 1904 may be used to secure thetransaction card on a key ring.

FIG. 20A-20C illustrate card assembly 2000 including transaction card1901 secured in card frame 1801. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, notch1805 along the perimeter of card frame 1801 may expose a first portionof transaction card 1901, with the remaining portion of transaction card1901 being concealed (except for the raised contact pads) in the slot bythe opposing surfaces of card frame 1801. The exposed portion oftransaction card 1901 may include hole 1904 (e.g., so that thetransaction card can be secured in the card frame without removing a keyring or other device inserted through the hole).

FIGS. 21A-21E illustrates an example of securing and removing thetransaction card illustrated in FIGS. 19A-19D in the card frameillustrated in FIGS. 18A-18C;

FIGS. 21A-21E illustrates the cross-sectional view B-B (FIG. 18D) ofcard frame 1801 and the side view (FIG. 19D) of transaction card 1901 atvarious stages of integration into card assembly 2000. As shown in thefigures the raised contact pads 1902 on the transaction card 1901 andthe window 1802 in the card frame 1801 form a detent mechanism forsecuring the transaction card in the card frame in the same manner as incard assembly 1300 as previously described with respect to FIGS.14A-14E. In addition to the applied forces previously described withrespect to card assembly 1300, the exposed portion of transaction card1901 within notch 1805 in card assembly 2000 may provide a surface thatcan be gripped for forcing (e.g., inserting and removing) thetransaction card 1901 in and out of the receptacle 1803.

FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate various views of a card frame 2201, which hassimilar features as card frame 901, except that the perimeter ofreceptacle 2203 extends to the perimeter of card frame 2201 (e.g.,furthest from window 2202), and is thus open. Card frame 2201 may havethe same dimensions, be made of the same materials, and have a similarmagnetic strip 2204 as card frame 901 illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9D asdescribed above. Card frame 2201 may be compatible with transaction card1901, and may include a notch 2205 (e.g., a semi-circle) in theperimeter of card frame 2201 where it meets the extended perimeter ofreceptacle 2203.

Card frame 2201 may include a receptacle 2203 configured to secure,permit removal of, and resecure a transaction card in the same manner(e.g., via magnetic coupling o interference fit) as previously describedwith respect to receptacle 903 in transaction card 901. Card frame 2201may also include a window 2202 that exposes a portion of a transactioncard secured in receptacle 2203. FIG. 23A-23D illustrate card assembly2300 including transaction card 1901 secured in card frame 2201. Asshown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, notch 2205 along the perimeter of card frame2201 may expose a first portion of transaction card 1901, with theremaining portion of transaction card 1901 being concealed (except forthe raised contact pads) by the surface of card frame 2201 when viewingthe assembly from the view illustrated in FIG. 23A (e.g., the frontview). As with assembly 2000, the exposed portion of transaction card1901 may include hole 1904 (e.g., so that the transaction card can besecured in the card frame without removing a key ring or other deviceinserted through the hole).

In each of the card assemblies of FIGS. 11A-11D, 13A-13D, 17A-17D,20A-20C, and 23A-23C, the surface of the card frame that includes thewindow, either partially or completely conceals the transaction cardsecured in the card frame, except for the contact pads of the computerchip. In the card assemblies of FIGS. 11A-11D, and 13A-13D thetransaction cards are completely concealed, and in card assemblies16A-16D, 17A-17D, 20A-20C, and 23A-23C, the transaction cards arepartially concealed.

Each of these card assemblies of FIGS. 11A-11D, 13A-13D, 17A-17D,20A-20C, and 23A-23C may further include electrical contacts toelectrically couple the transaction card to the card frame as discussedabove with respect to FIGS. 2G and 2H.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example method 2400 for securing a transactioncard to a card frame according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.The method 2400 may be used by an individual to ensure the transactioncard is completely secured to the card frame. Proper placement of thetransaction card within the card frame allows the card assembly to beused to conduct a financial transaction using a computer chip on thetransaction card via a chip card reader. Proper placement of thetransaction card within the card frame also ensures that the transactioncard is mechanically and/or electrically coupled to the card frame asintended. The method 2400 may be implemented by any of the cardassemblies described herein such as, for example, the card assembly1100, 1300, 1700, 2000, and 2300.

At step 2402, a receptacle of a card frame may be located or determined.The card frame may include a receptacle configured to secure, enableremoval of, and resecure the transaction card in the card frame. Thereceptacle may have any number of features or characteristics to enablethe receptacle to be distinguished from a remaining portion of the cardframe. For example, the receptacle may be a recess in one surface of thecard frame, a slot on an edge or in the surface of the card frame, or acombination of such features as described herein.

At step 2404, a window in the card frame may be identified. The windowmay be in one surface of the card frame and span an area within theperimeter of the receptacle, which may provide the user an indication onhow to align a transaction card for inserting into the receptacle asdescribed herein.

At step 2406, a plurality of raised contact pads (e.g., 1002, 1602,1902) on the transaction card may be identified for example, asillustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D, 16A-16D, and 19A-19D. At step 2408, thetransaction card may be inserted in an opening of the receptacle. Thismay include placing the transaction card in a recess of the receptacle(e.g., as in card assemblies 1100 and 2300) or inserting the transactioncard into an opening of a slot of the receptacle (e.g., as in cardassemblies 1300, 1700, 2000)

At step 2410, the transaction card may be positioned in the receptaclesuch that the plurality of raised contacts are positioned in the windowand flush with the first surface of the card frame (e.g., as illustratedin FIGS. 11D, 13D, 17D, 20D, and 23D).

At this point, the card frame and transaction card form an integratedassembly that may be used to perform data transaction with a card orchip reader designed to work with a transaction card the size of thecard frame. For example, at step 2412, the card assembly (the card framewith the transaction card secured in the receptacle) may be insertedinto a credit card reader, and in step 2414, a data transaction may beperformed between the transaction card and the card reader via theplurality of raised contacts of the transaction card positioned in thewindow of the card frame.

At step 2416, a first force may be applied to the plurality of theraised contacts through the window to disengage the plurality of raisedcontacts from the window (e.g., as previously described with respect toFIGS. 11B-11D, 14E and 21E). At step 2418, after the plurality of theraised contact pads are disengaged from the window, a second force maybe applied to the transaction card to remove the transaction card fromthe receptacle. In various examples, (e.g., assemblies with detentmechanisms), the magnitude of the first force necessary to disengage theplurality of raised contact pads from the window (e.g., to overcome theholding force) is greater than the magnitude of the second forcenecessary to remove the transaction card (e.g. to overcome the slidingforce) from the receptacle.

One or more aspects discussed herein (e.g., processes and functionsbeing performed by a processor or computer chip as described above) maybe embodied in computer-usable or readable data and/orcomputer-executable instructions, such as in one or more programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices as describedherein. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, and data structures that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor ina computer or other device. The modules may be written in a source codeprogramming language that is subsequently compiled for execution, or maybe written in a scripting language such as (but not limited to) HTML orXML. The computer executable instructions may be stored on a computerreadable medium such as solid-state memory, RAM, and the like. As willbe appreciated by one of skill in the art, the functionality of theprogram modules may be combined or distributed as desired in variousembodiments. In addition, the functionality may be embodied in whole orin part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits,field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like. Particular datastructures may be used to more effectively implement one or more aspectsdiscussed herein, and such data structures are contemplated within thescope of computer executable instructions and computer-usable datadescribed herein. Various aspects discussed herein may be embodied as amethod, a computing device, a system, and/or a computer program product.

Although the present invention has been described in certain specificaspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparentto those skilled in the art. In particular, any of the various processesdescribed above may be performed in alternative sequences and/or inparallel (on different computing devices) in order to achieve similarresults in a manner that is more appropriate to the requirements of aspecific application. It is therefore to be understood that the presentinvention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described. Thus,embodiments of the present disclosure should be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A card assembly, comprising: a card framecomprising: a first sheet having first and second opposing surfacesseparated by a first thickness and bounded by a first perimeter, awindow in the first opposing surface, and a receptacle; and atransaction card comprising: a second sheet having third and fourthopposing surfaces separated by a second thickness and bounded by asecond perimeter, an integrated circuit, and a plurality of contact padson the third opposing surface; wherein the receptacle is configured tosecure, enable removal of, and resecure the transaction card in the cardframe, and wherein, when the transaction card is secured in thereceptacle, the plurality of contact pads are positioned in the windowand flush with the first opposing surface of the card frame.
 2. The cardassembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a recess in thesecond opposing surface of the card frame, and when the transaction cardis secured in the receptacle, the transaction card fits within therecess with fourth opposing surface of the transaction card being flushwith the second opposing surface of the card frame.
 3. The card assemblyof claim 2, wherein the receptacle is configured to secure thetransaction card in the card frame via magnetic coupling between thereceptacle and the transaction card.
 4. The card assembly of claim 2,wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card inthe card frame via an interference fit between the second perimeter ofthe transaction card and a third perimeter of the receptacle.
 5. Thecard assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a thirdperimeter open partially along the first perimeter of the card frame. 6.The card assembly of claim 1 wherein, when the transaction card issecured in the receptacle, the first opposing surface of the card frameconceals the third opposing surface of the transaction card.
 7. The cardassembly of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle comprises a slot betweenthe first and the second opposing surfaces; and the receptacle isconfigured to secure, enable the removal of, and resecure thetransaction card through the slot.
 8. The card assembly of claim 7,wherein slot comprises an opening along the first perimeter andperpendicular to the first and the second opposing surfaces.
 9. The cardassembly of claim 7, further comprising a detent mechanism between aninner surface of the slot and the transaction card, wherein the detentmechanism provides: a snap fit indicating that the detent mechanism isengaged to secure the transaction card in the receptacle, a holdingresistance preventing the detent mechanism from being disengaged, and asliding resistance opposing translation of the transaction card in theslot.
 10. The card assembly of claim 9, wherein: the detent mechanismcomprises a protrusion and a recess; the protrusion is on thetransaction card and the recess is in the inner surface of the slot, orthe protrusion is on the inner surface of the slot and the recess is inthe transaction card; the protrusion fits within the recess when thedetent mechanism is engaged to secure the transaction card in thereceptacle, and the slot is configured to deflect in response to anapplied force overcoming the holding resistance to disengage the detentmechanism.
 11. The card assembly of claim 10, wherein the recessincludes the window in the first opposing surface of the card frame, theprotrusion includes the plurality of contact pads, and the detentmechanism is engaged when the plurality of contact pads are positionedwithin the window.
 12. The card assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstperimeter of the card frame is a rounded rectangle 3.361 to 3.382 incheswide and 2.119 to 2.133 inches high, and the first thickness is 0.027 to0.033 inches.
 13. The card assembly of claim 1, wherein: the card framecomprises a notch along the first perimeter; the third opposing surfaceof the transaction card comprises a first portion and a second portion;and when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the firstportion is exposed in the notch and the second portion is concealed bythe first opposing surface of the card frame.
 14. A card frame,comprising: a first sheet having first and second opposing surfacesseparated by a thickness of 0.027 to 0.033 inches and bounded by arounded rectangle perimeter 3.361 to 3.382 inches wide and 2.119 to2.133 inches high; a window in the first opposing surface; and areceptacle configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure atransaction card in the card frame, wherein the receptacle is arrangedto position a plurality of raised contact pads on the transaction cardin the window and flush with the first opposing surface when thetransaction card is secured in the receptacle.
 15. The card frame ofclaim 14, wherein: the receptacle comprises a slot between the first andthe second opposing surfaces through which the transaction card isinserted; and wherein the slot is configured to expand to permit theplurality of raised contacts to pass through the slot, and return to anominal shape when the plurality of raised contacts are positioned inthe window.
 16. The card frame of claim 14, wherein the receptacle isconfigured to provide an audible or tactile click indicating thetransaction card is secured in the receptacle.
 17. The card frame ofclaim 14, wherein the receptacle comprises: a recess in the secondopposing surface in which to secure the transaction card; and a magneticinterface configured to hold the transaction card in the recess.
 18. Amethod comprising: locating, in a card frame, a receptacle configured tosecure, enable removal of, and resecure a transaction card; identifyinga window in a first surface of the card frame; identifying a pluralityof raised contacts on the transaction card; inserting, the transactioncard in an opening of the receptacle; positioning the transaction cardin the receptacle such that the plurality of raised contacts arepositioned in the window and flush with the first surface of the cardframe.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: inserting, into acredit card reader, the card frame with the transaction card secured inthe receptacle; and performing a data transaction between thetransaction card and the credit card reader via the plurality of raisedcontacts positioned in the window.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: applying a first force to the plurality of the raisedcontacts to disengage the plurality of raised contacts from the window;and applying, after the plurality of the raised contacts are disengagedfrom the window, a second force to the transaction card to remove thetransaction card from the receptacle, wherein a magnitude of the firstforce necessary to disengage the plurality of raised contacts from thewindow is greater than a magnitude of the second force necessary toremove the transaction card from the receptacle.